Andrena (Andy) was born in Aberdeen, SD on January 31, 1924. As an infant, she was adopted by Elizabeth Mary (Stoderl) and Andrew John Peterson.

She lived most of her young life in Alexandria, Elbow Lake and Wadena, MN. Her father passed away when she was 15 years old; she talked about him often (she missed him dearly). When she was older, she and my grandmother moved to Chicago, IL where they both worked at Cook County Hospital. My Mom worked in the nursery and loved taking care of the newborns.

In the 1940's my grandmother got on a train to go to California and stopped off in Phoenix, AZ and decided that was where she wanted to live so she sent for my Mother. My Mom's most memorable place to live (other than Sunnyslope, AZ) was Wadena, MN.

She married Joe H. Kellwood on May 5, 1947 (they were married 57 years). She gave birth to five children: Paul, Connie, Robert, David and Catherine. Her oldest son, Paul, preceded her in death (he passed away on January 15, 1992). He was wounded in Viet Nam and lost his spleen. When he came down with pneumonia later in life, it was fatal.

My Mom was also preceded in death by her grandson, Christopher Andrew McDaniel, both of her parents and her brother, John Raymond (Jack) Peterson. As children, she and Jack were extremely close and remained very close throughout the years.

She was a member of the VFW Auxillary, Post 9400, and the American Legion Auxillary, Post 75. She was also a member of the USMC WWII Navajo Code Talkers and was in the 1976 Bicentennial Parade. She and my Dad were invited by President Reagan, in 1983, to visit the White House.

On November 27, 2004, at the age of 80, she left behind her husband, 4 children, 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and a devoted friend.

She was very religious and taught us all to trust God and turn to prayer whether we were facing good times or bad. I still remember her bringing bags of homemade popcorn and cupcakes to our school events at Most Holy Trinity Catholic School. She was sincere, caring, loving, generous and very kind. She loved animals and they loved her.

We used to talk for hours late at night about her childhood (I loved that special time with her). She loved to collect old dolls and fix them up. She always dreamed of having her guest room turned into a doll's room.

I believe, in my heart, that she stayed with us until after Thanksgiving Day and chose to spend Christmas with her first born son, Paul, and all the other loved ones in Heaven that she had missed so much.

She was an angel; we knew that her prayers went directly to God's ears. I honestly believe those who were close to us in life continue to be with us, in spirit.

When someone near and dear to our family would pass away she would plant a tree in memory of them. I did the same for her when she passed away and every year it blooms without fail.

She is in our thoughts and prayers everyday.

Note: My Mom's birth certificate shows Mary Andrena Peterson; we believe Mary was mistaken for Myra but are not sure?

Note: A special thank you to Millie for sponsoring my Mom's Memorial site.